2025-26 British and Irish figure skating

[CaroLiza_fan]

Thanks for all the details about where to see the newsclips!

You're welcome. With it only being up for 24 hours, I wanted to make it so that others didn't have to waste time finding the relevant sections.

I think that Mark Hanretty is doing the rinkside announcing, and Chris and Tonia are doing the commentary.

Mmmmm. Not sure what Mark would be like doing the rInkside announcing. But, he might be good, given the effort he goes to in finding out correct pronounciations of names.

Chris and Tonia are doing the ISU commentary. I haven't seen any mention of whether the BBC are using that or doing their own?

In one of the links when going to the outside broadcast on Breakfast this morning, Jon Kay on the sofa said he was channelling his inner Robin Cousins. So, that might have been a hint that Robin is commentating for them.

Oooooh. I just looked at Kat Downes' Instagram. She put up a post on Sunday saying has just arrived in Melbourne for the Australian Open tennis. So we won't have to listen to her on the skating!!!

Robin meanwhile put up a post last week in which he said he was looking forward to Euros in Sheffield. Of course, he might have just been talking about the event itself. But, he might have meant commentating on it.

Oh, I hope this means we could have Robin and Jenny doing the BBC commentary. I can't remember what Tonia Kwiatkowski was like commentating on Senior Worlds last year. But, if it turns out that I don't like her, at least there would be an alternative option later in the week.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[FlossieH]

In one of the links when going to the outside broadcast on Breakfast this morning, Jon Kay on the sofa said he was channelling his inner Robin Cousins. So, that might have been a hint that Robin is commentating for them.

Honestly, I don't think the news guy had that sort of knowledge. I assumed that his comment about channelling his inner Robin Cousins was simply that Robin Cousins is the only (former) top skater whose name he knew off the cuff! (equivalent to saying he would channel his inner Torvill and Dean - which wouldn't make you think they were commentating!). I could be wrong, though. Robin Cousins is still very involved in BIS, so he goes to most of their main events in that role - but also has stuff to do in his BIS role.

 

[Jammers]

Tonia Kwiatkowski? As in the Tonia Kwiatkowski who did commentary for the Icenetwork back in the day? Wow that brings back memories of her and Mike Mancuso. She wasn't great if i remember but was nowhere near as annoying as Tara.

 

[Weetos]

Had an awesome few days in Sheffield. My hands swelled up from clapping too much what can I say I'm an enthusiastic cheerer!

 

[Royston]

Me too, hands are still sore I went yesterday and absolutely loved it. Roared my head off.

The free dance was a spectacular event. So many highlights but the cheers for Phoebe & James gave me goosebumps and then the Mexican wave started in the block I was sat in. Just brilliant.

Olivia & Tim and Charlene & Marco were stunning and I can't get the Italians music out of my head. A beautiful program that will bring the house down in Cortina.

Then L&L came on and the roof nearly came off. So close to be being perfect and such a shame for the slight stumble that put them down to 3rd. GB were so close to having 3 teams at Europeans next year after P&J's brilliant 11th place finish, but thats sport and the pressure on them was immense so overall I'm super proud of them and a bronze medal in that field is still fantastic.

I'm sad it's over. Bring on the Olympics!

 

[CelticRose22]

On my way home from Sheffield shortly. Sad it's over. Wonderful week. Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

I wonder if British Ice Skating/UK Sport will consider bidding for a World Championships; it's been over 30 years since it was last held here.

 

[Anna K.]

I wonder if British Ice Skating/UK Sport will consider bidding for a World Championships; it's been over 30 years since it was last held here.

I think they might. The events looked well attended, so... They really might consider it.

 

[Ruthypegs]

Had an awesome few days in Sheffield. My hands swelled up from clapping too much what can I say I'm an enthusiastic cheerer!

Me too (had an awesome few days at the event - and my hands are cut from clapping too much!) It was such fun!!

 

[Ruthypegs]

I think they might. The events looked well attended, so... They really might consider it.

I really hope so..... It would be even better if Sheffield could host it - Sheffield has three Olympic-sized rinks in very close proximity, and British Ice Skating is based here, so it would make sense......

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I think that Mark Hanretty is doing the rinkside announcing, and Chris and Tonia are doing the commentary.

Chris and Tonia are doing the ISU commentary. I haven't seen any mention of whether the BBC are using that or doing their own?

Oooooh. I just looked at Kat Downes' Instagram. She put up a post on Sunday saying has just arrived in Melbourne for the Australian Open tennis. So we won't have to listen to her on the skating!!!

Robin meanwhile put up a post last week in which he said he was looking forward to Euros in Sheffield. Of course, he might have just been talking about the event itself. But, he might have meant commentating on it.

CaroLiza_fan

For those of us that were wondering who was commentating for the BBC alongside Robin Cousins in Sheffield:



https://www.instagram.com/p/DTqdKwQCLwm/

Katie Smith, a football and general sports commentator who used to co-present the breakfast show on BBC Radio 5 Live.

I have't actually watched any of the BBC coverage, so I don't know if she was any good. But, when I get the chance, I do plan to find my various kids on the archived coverage and watch them to see what Robin and Katie thought of them compared to Chris and Tonia.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[CelticRose22]

I really hope so..... It would be even better if Sheffield could host it - Sheffield has three Olympic-sized rinks in very close proximity, and British Ice Skating is based here, so it would make sense......

I'm not necessarily completely tied to it being Sheffield but they clearly have the support from local government which is important. No idea if any other cities would be interested.

 

[Weetos]

I think they might. The events looked well attended, so... They really might consider it.

I was a bit worried as it looked like there were quite a few tickets still unsold, but the crowd was great. I have seen many less well attended events.

I have't actually watched any of the BBC coverage, so I don't know if she was any good. But, when I get the chance, I do plan to find my various kids on the archived coverage and watch them to see what Robin and Katie thought of them compared to Chris and Tonia.

CaroLiza_fan

I have watched some of it - watched the whole free dance on iPlayer - and she didn't say anything that particularly irritated me, so I think she did well!

I'm not necessarily completely tied to it being Sheffield but they clearly have the support from local government which is important. No idea if any other cities would be interested.

On that note I only found out by attending that Synchro worlds is in Nottingham next year! I'd quite like to go to that, and it's a bit easier to get to for me!

I've done two trips to Sheffield for skating events now, but I wouldn't mind a third! Still it would be nice to go for another big city for the sake of the audience. Not sure where though!

 

[Weetos]

Junior worlds team announced, it is what I expected:



Side note but I thought Mimi and Joseph did a lovely performance in the Sheffield gala if you haven't watched it!

 

[FlossieH]

Junior worlds team announced, it is what I expected:



Side note but I thought Mimi and Joseph did a lovely performance in the Sheffield gala if you haven't watched it!

They were lovely in the gala.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Lilah and Lewis have made the bigtime! They are on the cover of next week's Radio Times:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUA2yUZjkx7/?img_index=4

Well, they are one of the five cover options for next week's Radio Times.

It looks awful!

The artist did a better job with the other sports.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[pesto]

That's awful! Especially the faces!

 

[FlossieH]

From pesto's reaction, I'm not sure that I want to look!

 

[pesto]

From pesto's reaction, I'm not sure that I want to look!

Not in a distressing way, just... have they ever seen Lilah and Lewis?

 

[pesto]

It's based on last year's FD costumes, isn't it? You'd expect them to use this year's.

 

[pesto]

Actually... I'd expect them to use this year's RD costumes. Nice graphic flag theme to support Team GB, and it's the costume that will be worn in the team event, as well as the individual event.